Brad Tilley Captures Title at IKE Championship
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July 3, 2003
JERICHO, N.Y. – University of Virginia golfer Brad Tilley (Chappaqua, N.Y.) won his first Metropolitan Golf Association title in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, as the only player under par in the 48th MGA/Canon “IKE” Stroke Play Championship.
Tilley, who will begin his second season at UVa this fall, put himself in position after the second round by following up his first round one-under-par 71 with another 71 to give himself the second round lead. First round leaders Blumenfeld and Mazzella, followed their opening round 69s with rounds of 80 and 81 respectively, to open the door for Tilley’s lead.
“This is a huge win for Brad. The ‘IKE’ is a great championship, which always includes many of the best amateur golfers in the country,” Virginia head coach Mike Moraghan said. “I’m just absolutely thrilled for Brad and his family. It’s significant for our team as well. I know our other players will feed off Brad’s success. It’s great for all of us.”
Three-time Ike champion Jerry Courville, Jr. also put himself in position with a second round 74, which got him into the final group with Tilley. Starting on the 10th tee, Tilley began his final round strong, with birdies on two of the first three holes. With five holes to play, Tilley had a five shot lead over Courville, but he faced trouble on his 15th hole when his tee shot on the par three fell within four feet from a water hazard on the right for the third consecutive round. Courville birdied two of the final five holes to cut the lead to two shots with two to play, but Tilley held on to finish with two pars and win by two.
Tilley’s goal this week was to “shoot par or better every round, and to beat old man par, as they say.” He reached that goal for the tournament with a total of 214 (71-71-72) and three solid rounds. Tilley believed he “had the potential to win this tournament if his game was there this week,” and he did win the championship despite tendonitis in his left hand that he had to overcome on the final day. He plans to spend the rest of the summer playing in major amateur championships such as the Southern and Eastern Amateurs, and, if he can qualify next month, the U.S. Amateur. Tilley will also be returning to the area for the Met Amateur at Somerset Hills in Bernardsville, N.J.
As a first-year golfer at UVa in 2003, Tilley started all 12 tournaments for the Cavaliers. His best finish was a fourth-place showing at the Rice Intercollegiate.
Tilley is the second Cavalier to win the IKE championship. In 1995, Jeff Putman captured medalist honors. Putman was Virginia’s first All-American in golf.
IKE Championship information and photos provided by the Metropolitan Golf Association
website.